Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at the research site of Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Southern Ethiopia, in 2017/18 cropping season to assess the effect of tillage frequency and nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth, yield and essential oil content of spearmint and to evaluate the economic feasibility of treatments for spearmint production. The treatments were consisted of three tillage frequencies [once at the time of planting; twice (1st ten days before planting and 2nd at the time of planting and thrice (1st twenty days before planting, 2nd ten days before planting and 3rd at the time of planting] and five levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1). Randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications was used. Results showed that main effect of tillage frequency and nitrogen fertilizer rates significantly affected fresh stem weight per hectare (FSWPH) and dry herbage biomass per hectare (DHBPH). The highest (2972.58kg ha-1) FSWPH and highest (2973.58kg ha-1) DHBPH were obtained due to three-time tillage. The 200 kg N ha-1 gave the highest (3022.70 kg ha-1) FSWPH and highest (3023.71kg ha-1) DHBPH of spearmint. Days to flowering, plant height and dry leaf to stem ratio were significantly affected by interaction of tillage frequency and N rates. Three times tillage at 200 kg N ha-1 gave tallest plant (78.97 cm), highest essential oil yield per hectare (57.97 kg ha-1) and delayed days to flowering (94 days) and gave highest (2.67) dry leaf to stem to ratio at 150 kg N ha-1. Fresh leaf to stem ratio and fresh herbage biomass per hectare were significantly affected by interaction of tillage frequency and N rates. The highest (4.40) fresh leaf to stem ratio and the highest (15808.50kg ha-1) fresh herbage biomass per hectare were due to three times tillage at 200 kg N ha-1. The highest (12852.50 kg ha-1) fresh herbage yield per hectare and highest (3113.40 kg ha-1) dry herbage yield per hectare were obtained at three times tillage when 200kg N ha-1 was used. The highest net benefit (8911.79 Birr ha-1) with marginal rate of return (432.01%) was obtained from three times tillage at N fertilizer rate of 100 kg ha-1. Therefore, based on one season study at WGARC it is possible to say that under Wondo Genet and similar areas the highest and economically feasible herb could be produced using three times tillage and 100 kg N ha-1.Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at the research site of Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Southern Ethiopia, in 2017/18 cropping season to assess the effect of tillage frequency and nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth, yield and essential oil content of spearmint and to evaluate the economic feasibility of treatments for spearmint producti...Show More
Abstract: The study focused on the extraction of starches from white and yellow bitter yam (Dioscorea dumentorum) tubers with a view to comparing their properties to other conventional starches. Morphological characterisation and functional properties of the two starches extracted from two varieties of bitter yams have been determined using standard analytical procedures. The starch samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis coupled with Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. The starch yields fell within the appreciable quantity range which is important for commercial purposes, and the moisture content ranked within the stipulated range which is good enough for storage ability. The swelling capacity, bulk density, and ash content compared relatively well with other conventional starches in the literature. The surface morphology of white bitter yam starch was observed to be smoother than that of yellow bitter yam starch. The EDX analysis revealed that the elemental compositions of the two starches were dominated by C and O, this showed that the two elements are the major components in the chemical framework of the obtained starch. The FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups expected from starch. It can be opined that white and yellow bitter yams can be alternative starch sources for the industrial world as this will ease the pressure on the convectional starch sources.Abstract: The study focused on the extraction of starches from white and yellow bitter yam (Dioscorea dumentorum) tubers with a view to comparing their properties to other conventional starches. Morphological characterisation and functional properties of the two starches extracted from two varieties of bitter yams have been determined using standard analytic...Show More
Abstract: Wheat is a major crop produced in Ethiopian high lands which is a staple food crop. Regardless of this fact, average productivity of the crop both at National and Regional level is very low as contrasted with the world average yield due to different factors and among them low soil fertility is a major. Hence, Pre-extension demonstration of soil test based crop response phosphorus calibration study on bread wheat was conducted at YayaGuleledistrict of North Shewa zone during 2019/20 cropping season with the objectives to demonstrate P-critical value and P-requirement factor for phosphorus recommendation of bread wheat. Five kebeles were purposively selected based on the wheat production potential in the study area. A total of six farmer’s fields with initial phosphorus concentration below critical Phosphorus Concentration for the district were selected. One Farmers Research Group comprising 15 farmers by considering gender was established at each kebeles and training was delivered for farmers, DAs, and district experts on soil test crop response based phosphorus recommendation for bread wheat production. The bread wheat crop were fertilized by blanket recommendation (100:100 kg ha-1 of Urea and DAP) and soil test crop response based phosphorus recommendation on 20m*20m plot size. The phosphorus fertilizer rate was calculated based on the formula [(23-pi)*3.76] established for the district. Improved variety of bread wheat Danda’a was used as a test crop with 150 kg ha-1 seed rate. Grain yield and farmer feedback/preference were collected. The results of the study revealed that the soil reaction (H2O) were moderately to slightly acidic with the value ranged from 5.54 to 6.54, low to high available P with the value ranged from 7.92 to 20.73 ppm. The result of the study also showed that, the highest grain yield and net income were obtained from application of Soil test based P-fertilizer recommendation supplemented with 92 kg ha-1 of N and which gave 49.48%yield advantage over the blanket fertilizer recommendation. The MRR obtained from Soil test based P-fertilizer recommendation was economically feasible and the highest MRR and net income were obtained from soil test based fertilizer recommendation. Thus, farmers in the district of YayaGulele could be advised to use soil test based crop response phosphorus recommendation to increase the bread wheat production.Abstract: Wheat is a major crop produced in Ethiopian high lands which is a staple food crop. Regardless of this fact, average productivity of the crop both at National and Regional level is very low as contrasted with the world average yield due to different factors and among them low soil fertility is a major. Hence, Pre-extension demonstration of soil tes...Show More
